Finding work in Lanzarote
I regularly receive emails from people who have found our guide to Bars and Restaurants, looking for jobs in Lanzarote. These range from people looking for some part time bar work over the summer months, to entire families relocating permanently and looking for a career.
I always advise that most employers here do not consider somebody for a role, until they’ve actually arrived on the Island. There are exceptions to the rule of course, but this is generally the norm.
So what can you do to find work in Lanzarote? First of all, look at your previous experience, and see if it is transferable to a holiday island. You may have provided training and managed motivational classes for 500 staff from a chain of “power tool outlets”, but there really isn’t a call for that here. Instead look at your transferable skills. Maybe there is something there that can help you in a whole new direction.
Many people come out and want to do something completely different. A number of us had very busy, high powered careers back in the UK – and would now like to chill out a bit, and reduce those stress levels. Be warned though… if you thrived under pressure before, you may find that you’ll either actively seek that again – or you’ll get bored.
Do you want to be employed? Or do you want to set up your own business. Do your research, and speak to other people who have made the move. Learn from their experiences.
Both Alan and I choose to work long hours, and put ourselves “through the mill”. It stimulates us, and has enabled us to build a successful business. And hey – it’s all for our future right?
But whereas in the UK, we’d have a draining commute each day, and a slog to line someone else’s pockets – here we can choose our own hours, take a day off if we want to, have our lunch out on the terrace, basically do what we want. A cigarette break back in the UK was spent huddled against a cold damp building, sheltering from the wind and rain. Now it’s outside, in the glorious sunshine… with a stunning volcanic backdrop.
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- Finding Accommodation in Lanzarote According to the most recent official census over 5,000 British expats now live on Lanzarote. Along with many thousands more from other sun starved Northern...
29 Responses to Finding work in Lanzarote
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hi there just seeing if you can help me im 27 and im a plasterer from the uk and im looking to move out to lanzarote
i have lived in spain and was doing building work there. ive just come bk from lanzarote and had alook around and all the building work seems to had stopped. just really want to know if u know if theres anything like this out there at the mo? and i was also looking to start my own jet sking business and would like to know about getting the permission about haveing a section of the beach like they have there would be really good if u could email me ur reply thanks alot
regards
Hello David. The first thing you need to do is speak to your health authority and find out whether your qualifications are transferrable and recognised under the Spanish system. We have been led to believe that there may be some issues with this… certainly in Britain, and possibly in Ireland too.
Of course you MUST learn Spanish, as you would then be of more interest to the health authorities. They need people who can treat more than the small percentage of English speaking expats. Good luck!
Elle xx
Hi there. I am a 28 year old irish doctor. I have been working for the past 4 years since qualifying in 2007. I wanted to find out about trying to work on the Islands, esp Lanzarote and who to contact in order to find out about jobs? Temporary or more longterm work – maybe shortterm would be best initially and supplement with hospitality job to learn spanish and earn more? Currently I dont have any Spanish but I am starting to learn and am a fast learner when needs be
Thanks, David
Save up your money love… and give it another year… as more job options will be open to you – plus you’ll also be abel to drink legally.
Good luck!
Elle xx
hello, im looking to move to lanzoarte for the summer i would be in trested in working in restuarants because i am not 18 just yet, do you think i should wait untill next year ? or just go for it,
meny thanks,
I wish to retire to Lanzarote, pick up administration work and do some voluntary English teaching, your advice would be greatly appreciated
I have a friend in Lanzarote who is out of work, will take anything, can anyone help ?. Doug. please
Hi Steph.
Bar work tends to be very immediate… and when people are looking for staff – they want them there and then. So yes, it would be better to get your face in front of people. However, this would only work if you are able to start almost immediately.
Hope this helps!
Elle
Hi
I am looking to relocate and am prefeably looking for bar work, would you suggest it would be better for me to go out for 10days and hand out my CV?Or Email a few bars. I have loads of experience in hospitality. Im just not sure where to start. was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction.
Many Thanks
Hello Jayde. The jobs are certainly there… but they do get snapped up very quickly, and 99% of the time by people who are already here.
To be honest – don’t underestimate the fact that you have an aunt here… she may well be better placed to get you introduced around when you first arrive.
Good luck – and do let us know how you get on, honey.
Elle xx
Hi Elle, im 18 and have an aunt living in Lanzarote. i have been to the country a number of times for a holiday and would love nothing more than to move out there permanently. I currently work in an office but have experience in Waitressing and bar work. With the recession do you think finding these sorts of jobs in Lanzarote are hard to come by or are they common.
Please get back to me as i cant wait to move out there hopefully in June 10
Jayde xxx
Hi guys! Im from Bristol UK, looking for chefs work (Im qualified, experienced chef) in Lanzarote or Fuerteventura, I can do other job as well.. any idea ? please
Hey there Luke!
It’s still tough here honey… because of the lack of jobs. The building trade has been quite badly affected – so there’s not a lot of skilled roles available.
However – that’s not to say it’s not possible! Why not try approaching painters and decorators directly in Lanzarote, and see if you can offer your skills. It’s a slim chance – but just an idea for you.
Good luck!
Elle xx
hey Elle ive recently been on holiday to puerto del carmen and me and my grilfriend fell in love with the place im only 19 years old and because of the recession i currently have no stable work as a painter and decorator in england and was wondering would u be able to tell me where to start looking if we came over there again i really want to do this just to have a good life
kind regards, thanks alot
Luke cooper
i`m a bar tender i have been in lanzarote 6 time and i wold like to live ther and geet some work us a bar man or animator if some one us a job , thanks for help
Good luck nebo!
Not cold and snowy here / it-s a gorgeous sunny day in Playa Blanca!
Elle x
Thanks Elle for the prompt reply! Just checked under, http://buscar.telefonica.com/en/resultadosdebusqueda.jsp
I’m going to contact them and of course, will let you know
Have a lovely day & best regards from, (those days), very cold and snowy Amsterdam, brrrr,
Nebo
Hi Nebo. Happy new year to you too! You would be best going through their head office and seeing what and where they have things available. You shyould be able to contact them via http://www.telefonica.es as a first point of contact.
Good luck!
Elle x
Hi Elle,
A happy new year! Sorry for getting back late on your reply. Can you please let me know if it’s Telefonica based in Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca?
Many thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Nebo
Hi Vanessa – it’s not quite as simple as it is for an EU national I’m afraid. You need to apply to the Spanish Consulate in your home country BEFORE you arrive here. But before that, you’ll also need to apply to them for a visa. I would definitely make them your first point of contact, honey. There are no guarantees that they will accept… but I would do that before trying to find work here.
However – because you have already studied at an EU university – that may simplify things for you… so make sure you have all your paperwork to hand.
Good luck – and let us know how you get on
Elle xx
Hello Elle
Thank you for posting this article.
I was wondering if you can point me in the correct direction for information on Medical Jobs (doctor)in Lanzarote as well as obtaining a work permit (non-EU national but studied at an EU university) please.
Any information would be most appreciated.
Thanks alot.
Hello Nebo. We wish you the very best of luck with your job search. We will be sure to pass on any enquiries to you. However, so often people need to be here before they are offered work.
Why not try approaching Telefonica and seeing if they would have something that would suit you?
Kindest regards
Elle Draper
Hello,
42 years old guy from Amsterdam Netherlands, planning to move next year to Puerto del Carmen, would like to ask for some more information about the jobs offered in Lanzarote, example:
For the experienced people, (My self still works for a biggest American Computer Company in last 11 years, leading Business Management in EMEA, only in Europe 14 European countries, and also, speaking and writing several European languages.
Any information would be much than appreciated.
Please, for any other queries, do not to hesitate to contact me, would be glad to hear!
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Nebo
Hi! I would like to work to Lanzarote. I am from Romania, but I worked in Italy for seven years as pizza chef. I am looking for a job as pizza chef,I am valable at ottobre… Thanks!
Hi Stephanie. Unfortunately Lanzarote is going through a similar credit crunch to the rest of the world at the moment. Perhaps even more so because the Island is so reliant upon the tourist industry. Of course we would not wish you to lose sight of your dreams… but we wouldn’t want you to believe that the Island has an abundance of jobs available right now. Have a look at the following article, and you may get the idea.
http://www.lanzaroterelocation.co.uk/jobs-in-lanzarote/
Of course if you can arrive with a good buffer of cash – for in case you cannot get a job for a while -then that opens up your options a little more.
The very best of luck to you… and do let us know if there is anything else we can do to help you.
Kindest regards
Elle
Hi I am looking into moving over to Lanzarote for a longer term period next year. I have worked part time in a busy pre-club/sports bar in the Isle of Man for the past 5 years and i thrive on a customer facing environment. I would like to know if there would be any opportunities for me before i look any further into this. Can you help point me in the right direction?
Hi there William. We can’t help I’m afraid… but maybe someone reading this website might be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck, and happy flying!
Elle
I am a pilot looking for seasonal work in the Canarias/Lanzarote one ore two months/year. Towing comercials, scenic flights, transport between the islands. I fly PA28, Cessna 172, PA18, Beech B95, PA31-350 and hold JAA CPL ATPL IR/ME
Me and my wife just love the Canarias.
i work for my self in england have my own fensa double glazing company – construction we do all aspects off home improvements. i have had property in lanzarote 18 months or so now (los molinos costa teguise ) my wife and i now wish to relocate to lanzarote as we love the island . but i still want to work as i love what i do and get great satisfaction from my work